Ashanti People Ashanti People select code Introduction The Ashanti live in central Ghana in western Africa [map of Ghana ] approximately 300km. away from the coast. The Ashanti are a major ethnic group of the Akans in Ghana, a fairly new nation, barely more than 50 years old. Ghana, previously the Gold Coast, was a British colony until 1957. It is now politically separated into four main parts. Ashanti is in the center and Kumasi is the capital. To the Ashanti, the family and the mother’s clan are most important. A child is said to inherit the father’s soul or spirit (ntoro) and from the mother a child receives flesh and blood (mogya). This relates them more closely to the mother’s clan. The Ashanti live in an extended family. The family lives in various homes or huts that are set up around a courtyard. The head of the household is usually the oldest brother that lives there. He is chosen by the elders. He is called either Father or Housefather and is obeyed by everyone. Boys are trained by their fathers at the age of eight and nine. They are taught a skill of the fathers' choice.

The father is also responsible for paying for school. Boys are taught to use the talking drums by their mothers' brother. Talking drums are used for learning the Ashanti language and spreading news and are also used in ceremonies. The talking drums are important to the Ashanti and there are very important rituals involved in them. Girls are taught cooking and housekeeping skills by their mothers. They also work the fields and bring in necessary items, such as water, for the group. Marriage is very important to Ashanti communal life and it can be polygamous. Men may want more than one wife to express their willingness to be generous and support a large family. Women in the Ashanti culture will not marry without the consent of their parents. Many women do not meet their husbands until they are married. Even so, divorce is very rare in the Ashanti culture and it is a duty of parents on both sides to keep a marriage going. The government of Ashanti is shaped like a pyramid. There is one king and he heads the Ashanti Confederacy Council, a group made of paramount chiefs. A paramount chief presides over district chiefs. A district chief presides over a District Council of Elders, which is made up of subchiefs.

Villages are brought together by a subchief. Within every village there is a village head council made up of all the heads of households The Ashanti religion is a mixture of spiritual and supernatural powers. They believe that plants, animals, and trees have souls. They also believe in fairies, witches, and forest monsters. There are a variety of religious beliefs involving ancestors, higher gods, or abosom, and ‘Nyame’, the Supreme Being of Ashanti. The Ashanti also practice many rites for marriage, death, puberty, and birth. The golden stool is sacred to the Ashanti. There is an elaborate legend surrounding it that is told by the old men of Ashanti. The golden stool is very carefully protected. No one has ever sat on it and since its arrival, it has not touched the ground. As an Ashanti symbol, the golden stool represents the worship of ancestors, well-being, and the nation of Ashanti. The Ashanti have a wide variety of arts. Bark cloth was used for clothing before weaving was introduced. With weaving, there is cotton and silk. Women may pick cotton or spin materials into thread, but only men are allowed to weave. There are different patterns in weaving, each with its own name.

Sometimes the pattern represents social status, a clan, a saying, or the sex of the one wearing it. Patterns are not always woven in the cloth. It can also be stamped on in many designs. Pottery is a skill that is taught to a daughter by the mother. There are many stages to making pots and there are many colors of clay available. The Ashanti also do woodcarving and metal casting. Written By: April West Ashanti people, traditions, Culture, talking drum, fertility mask, wooden stools Ashanti The Ashanti live in central Ghana in the Rainforests of West Africa approximately 150 miles away from the coast. The Ashanti are a major ethnic group of the Akans (Ashanti and Fanti) in Ghana, Ghana is a fairly new nation, barely more than 50 years old, and Ghana was previously called the Gold Coast. Much of the modern nation of Ghana was dominated from the late 17th through the late 19th century by a state known as Asante. Asante was the largest and most powerful of a series of states formed in the forest region of southern Ghana by people known as the Akan.

Among the factors leading the Akan to form states, perhaps the most important was that they were rich in gold. It is now politically separated into four main parts. Ashanti is in the center and Kumasi is the capital. The Ashanti are the largest tribe in Ghana and one of the few matrilineal societies in West Africa. The area of Ashanti is 9400 square miles with a population of about one million. The Ashanti people have always been known as fierce fighters. The people of this tribe have a slogan: "If I go forward I die, If I go backward I die, Better go forward and die." When the Ashanti tribe was faced with war, they used drums to signal the upcoming battle. The beat of these drums could be heard through the dense forest. The Ashanti have a special handshake, in which you hold your left hand out to shake hands. This comes from the Ashanti's explanation that the left hand holds the shield, and the right hand holds the spears. So, in order to show your trust in someone, you put down your shield and therefore have your left hand free. To the Ashanti, the family and the mother's clan are most important.

A child is said to inherit the father's soul or spirit and from the mother a child receives flesh and blood This relates them more closely to the mother's clan. The Ashanti live in an extended family. The family lives in various homes or huts that are set up around a courtyard. The head of the household is usually the oldest brother that lives there. The elders choose him. He is called either Father or House father and is obeyed by everyone. The Ashanti religion is a mixture of spiritual and supernatural powers. They believe that plants, animals, and trees have souls. They also believe in fairies, witches, and forest monsters. There are a variety of religious beliefs involving ancestors, higher gods, or abosom, and 'Nyame', the Supreme Being of Ashanti. The Ashanti also practice many ceremonies for marriage, death, puberty, and birth. The golden stool is sacred to the Ashanti; today great pride in the Ashanti King lives on in the tradition of the Golden Stool. There is an elaborate legend surrounding it that is told by the old men of Ashanti. The golden stool is very carefully protected. No one has ever sat on it and since its arrival; it has not touched the ground.

As an Ashanti symbol, the golden stool represents the worship of ancestors, well-being, and the nation of Ashanti. As a symbol of nationhood, and because if contains the sumsum or Soul of Ashanti, the Golden Stool is considered to be so sacred that no person whatsoever is allowed to sit upon it. It is kept with the strictest security and precaution; and is taken outside only on exceptionally grand occasions. Never must it come in contact with the earth or the ground. It is always lying on its own stool or on the skin of an animal such as the leopard. Ashanti's have on many occasions made great sacrifices to defend it when its safety had been threatened. In 1896 they submitted to the deportation of their King, Prempeh I, rather than resort to a war in which they feared they might suffer defeat and risk the loss of the Golden stool. They deemed the loss of their King a small thing compared with the loss of their Golden Stool. The village is a social as well as an economic unit. Everyone participates in the major ceremonies, the most frequent of which are funeral celebrations, which typically last several days.

Attendance at funerals is normally expected from everyone in the village and expenditure on funerals is a substantial part of the household budget The Ashanti are noted for their expertise in a variety of specialized crafts. These include weaving, wood carving, ceramics, the reknown kente cloth and metallurgy. Of these crafts, only pottery making is primarily a female activity; the others are restricted to male specialists. Even in the case of pottery making, only men are allowed to fashion pots or pipes. Bark cloth was used for clothing before weaving was introduced. With weaving, there is cotton and silk. Women may pick cotton or spin materials into thread, but only men are allowed to weave. There are different patterns in weaving, each with its own name. Sometimes the pattern represents social status, a clan, a saying, or the sex of the one wearing it. Patterns are not always woven in the cloth. It can also be stamped on in many designs. Kente cloth is only worn in the southern half of the country and - as distinct from other forms of traditional weaving - is reserved mainly for joyous occasions. Traditionally the Kente cloth is a festival cloth worn mainly during the annual and seasonal festivals, which are happy occasions.

Today they are not only used for festive occasions but also during the rituals associated with the important events of life; for example, marriage, death, and religious worship. Therefore, it is quite appropriate for outsiders to wear it for religious and festive occasions. Wood carving is divided into many branches, each with its own specialists. Among the major products are wooden sculptures of outstanding artistic quality and the talking-drums. The Ashanti fertility doll or "Akua ba" doll is commonly found in the homes of the Ashanti and given to the females in the village to bring them closer to the spirit of Fertility Gods. The Ashanti play an African game called "Kikogo" which means transferring and refers to players moving markers that are usually beads or stones around a wooden board that has cups or depressions similar to that of an egg carton. The game is as popular as draughts (checkers) are in the western countries A selection of African Ashanti crafts available at African Crafts Market Asante (Ashanti) History Much of the modern nation of Ghana Status of Women in Ashanti Ye ko bisa aberewa "We are going to consult the old woman", places the woman as the final arbiter in all decisions in the Ashanti community.

When a tribunal sits to settle a case, its members finally retire to take a decision and this final act culminating in giving justice is referred to as "consulting the old woman." The woman is the custodian of all knowledge and treasures of the community. In Ashanti men rarely defy the women in this respect. Women are known as reputed connoisseurs and must not be challenged in their specialty. It is only among themselves that criticisms may be whispered and even insinuations made. However inferior an Ashanti woman may appear to an outside observer she is the final decisive factor in all the activities of the en and the arbiter of what is good or bad for the whole community. Wars have been started because a Queen Mother said the war should be fought although the men and the chief would have been satisfied with a lesser punishment for the offending state. Nana Yaa Asantewaa A whole village has been sold into slavery because the wife of a chief had led him to enter into an unholy alliance with her people. Tyrants whom the people could not remove have fallen easy prey to the wiles of a woman and then the whole effort of warring section spared.

From time immemorial the Ashantis have recognised the powers of a wise woman and have made use of them. The woman as a Queen Mother was invaluable. There is very little distinction of sex in the social grouping or organisation in Ashanti. Boys and girls mingle quite freely. Boys or men have a natural inclination to predominate, and are expected to, and they do the lion's share of the services necessary for the proper upkeep of the group. And yet there is no disregard of the status of women in the organisations. In their dance bands there are Agrohene and Agrohemmaa, the " KING" of the band and the "QUEEN". The King (Agrohene) is directly responsible for the ales and the "QUEEN" (Agrohemmaa) for the females and both are jointly responsible for the whole group. And no member repudiates either's authority their assistants and other ranks are similarly regarded and respected. It is only in the fighting forces that women may not play a major part although there are several instances when wars have been started by women.

In war time their duty is to care for the young and infirm at home and daily they keep up the home-front with dirges, prayers and patriotism (Mobeme) for the men at the front. No man of fighting age can stay at home or hide anywhere to hear the face the challenge in these songs without taking arms immediately. The insinuation can cause him to take his own life. He is Kosannkobi, wokasa obaa ano a Kobiri nku wo. Deserter, may Kobiri (an important goddess) kill you if you dare speak as a man to a woman. The man who evades going to, or escapes from, the battle-field has no claim to adultery fee if his wife commits adultery. He is not a man. He is but another woman. This is the source of the supremacy of the Ashantis fighting force. The challenge to play one's part as a man is irresistible. Added to this is the unflinching loyalty to ancestral stools and to the Golden Stool of mystery and legend. Ashanti women are as brave and daring as the men.

But for the impediment of motherhood that keeps them at the home-front they might even have outshone the men in triumphing in wars. For the situation changes when villages are attacked. The women stir the men up with war cries and supply them with stones and sticks It is only in the fighting forces that women may not play a major part although there are several instances when wars have been started by women. In war time their duty is to care for the young and infirm at home and daily they keep up the home-front with dirges, prayers and patriotism (Mobeme) for the men at the front. No man of fighting age can stay at home or hide anywhere to hear and face the challenge in these songs without taking arms immediately. The insinuations can cause him to take his own life. He is Kosannkobi, wokasa obaa ano a Kobiri nku wo. Deserter, may Kobiri (an important goddess) kill you if you dare speak as a man to a woman. The man who evades going to, or escapes from the battle-field has no claim to adultery fee if his wife commits adultery. He is not a man. He is but another woman.

This is the source of the supremacy of the Ashanti fighting force. The challenge to play one's part as a man is irresistible. Added to this is the unflinching loyalty to ancestral stools and to the Golden Stool of mystery and legend Ashanti women are as brave and daring as the men. But for the impediment of motherhood that keeps them at the home-front they might even have outshone the men in triumphing in wars. For the situation change when villages are attacked. The women stir the men up with war cries and supply them with stones and sticks for offence or defence. If an attack was too sudden and caught the men unprepared the women especially those nursing young babies, filled in quite adequately by bringing out all accessible defensive weapons. The last war in Ashanti history was fought under the leadership of a Queen mother in 1900. Nana Yaa Asantewaa, Queen Mottates in Ashanti to take up arms against the British. She was immediately obeyed by all, whom she inspired with her unquenchable sprit. It was a typical example of the leadership which women could produce in extreme emergencies.

Today there are no wars and the Ashanti woman has shifted her energies to other things particularly retail trade in which she holds, together with her other colleagues elsewhere in the county, about 80 percent of the trade returns of the country. Girls are generally assistants in domestic duties and offer services which in other countries would be done by maid-servants. They are discouraged from spending time in games and sports as they boys do. Mothers are often blamed if their daughters turn out to be uninterested in house-keeping. In the main, sports are considered out of reach of girls. They too weak and prone to accidents for that, Their strength and energy is to be preserved and conserved for the strenuous life of motherhood that awaits them. A woman is considered to born with too much responsibility to lend herself to sports. Laziness is generally detested in an Ashanti community but it is especially despised in a woman. A woman of whom the term 'Lazy' or 'idle' can be used id utterly discredited in Ashanti. Obaa huhuni, a vagrant hoodlum of a woman, dapaafoo, the idler and kwadwofo, the lazy one, are names no woman wants to be called.

She is perfectly aware of the adverse effects they could have on her and may prevent her from enjoying a successful marriage, that is if these words had not already debarred her from the romantic approach of men. Marriage with such a woman is said to be the proverbial 'nine days wonder' and the victims have usually been strangers. This is one reason why Ashanti parents rarely allow their children to marry strangers. They think that such marriages are hazardous and only indulged in by the unguided ignorant, who generally turns out to be a stranger. And, unless he has very sound reasons, no Ashanti man may in vexation or anger call his wife such names. No Ashanti community exists without a social group or some sort and from girlhood to womanhood the daughter must seen t play an active part in the social life of the community. Withdrawal from the social life of one's age group is especially frowned on and is thought to be a serious blemish of character. One who cannot mix in a group is considered unfit for either human or animal society - Ommpe nnipa, onnse nipa nnse aboa.

The strength of the belief in the importance of social communion can be seen where reference is made to the other world in these terms- Asamanfo po pe dodo na etese teasefo (Even the dead pray for increase in their number in Hades how much more the living). The Ashanti spends time and much energy to fit his off-spring into society. Lessons on greetings and repries start very early in life. Youth are taught to comport themselves at gatherings. Parents are blamed for the impoliteness and uncouth bearing to their children. Bad breeding produces bad citizens and parents are blamed for bad citizens in Ashanti. Except in the matter of passing death sentences and enforcing them nothing in the organisation of social life is peculiar to Ashanti. It is Akan . All Akans of Fanti, Assin, Denkyira, Buem, Akwamu, Akwapim, Akim, Kwahu, Ashanti and Brong are the same in their organised social communities. Apart from slight variations in customs they are one and can be welded into an inseparable unit in this if not in all other aspects of life.

The word "AKAN" is said to drive from Kann (patently clean and free from adulteration, or light and free from darkness). And so the people in Ghana known as Akans feel that their social heritage is distinctive. They think: A CHARGE TO KEEP WHAT THEY HAVE, THE HUMAN RACE TO GLORIFY; ALL OTHER NEIGHBOURS TO SAVE; AND RAISING HUMAN ESTEEM HIGH. The Ashanti thinks that by being born Ashanti (Asante) he has been ordained by the deity to bring into world all that is best in the human race.

Ghana Ethnic Groups, Ashanti Nana Osei Yaw Akoto (1824-34) Nana Kwaku Dua I (1834 - 67) Nana Kofi Karikari (1867-74) Nana Kwaku Dua II in 1884 Nana Kwaku Duah II alias Nana Agyeman Prempeh I from 1888 to 1931, Nana Osei Tutu Agyeman Prempeh II from 1931 to 1970 Otumfuo Opoku Ware II from 1970-1999. BACKGROUND TO ASHANTI Did You Know That The period in which these Ashanti Ballads are set is the late 1950's when the Gold Coast became Ghana - the first African colony to achieve independence. Much has changed since those days. The ballads record aspects of a traditional way of life with which the modern Ghanaian city dweller is losing contact. For the benefit of strangers to Ghana, the following notes have been provided to give a background to the Ashanti Region around the time of independence.

The name Ashanti was used by British colonial administrators to describe the Kingdom of Asante. Geography The Ashanti Region of Ghana lies at the heart of the West African tropical rain forest. The only major city is the capital, Kumasi, which is about 150 miles inland from the Gulf of Guinea. The area of Ashanti is 9400 square miles (approximately one fifth that of England) with a population of about one million at the period independence, to which the ballads refer. History The Asante kingdom was founded by the great King Osei Tutu in the eighteenth century. His fetish priest was Okomfo Anokye, who unified the Asante states through allegiance to the Golden Stool, which miraculously descended from heaven. Okomfo Anokye planted two trees in the forest and predicted that one tree would live and become the capital of Ashanti. Hence is derived the name Kumasi (the tree lived); the place in which the other tree was planted became Kumawu (the tree died).... READ MORE The Economy at the Time of Independence Cocoa was the dominant cash crop but food-stuffs, vegetables and fruit for home consumption also flourished.

Typical crops were yam, plantain, cassava, maize, okro, pineapples, oranges and paw-paw. From the forest came game (bush meat), palm-wine and timber. The railway wagons leaving Kumasi were packed with logs for export. The gold mines explain why Ghana was called the Gold Coast before independence. The majority of the population lived in villages and worked on their farms, using a system of shifting cultivation. To create a farm it was necessary to clear part of the natural forest, although cocoa could be grown between existing trees. There have been substantial changes in the years since independence, principally the growth of the towns and the decline of cocoa growing. The Village The village is a social as well as an economic unit. Everyone participates in the major ceremonies, the most frequent of which are funeral celebrations which typically last several days. Attendance at funerals is normally expected from everyone in the village and expenditure on funerals is a substantial part of the household budget. In each village there are people of particular importance. The Chief ( odikro ) together with the Elders maintains traditional customs and ceremonies and deals with disputes.

The fetish priest ( okomfo ) and the herbalist ( odunsini ) provide a medical service which can be partly paid for in local produce (a hen, eggs etc.) as opposed to Western medicine which requires cash payment, and usually a considerable journey to the nearest hospital. The fetish priest, when possessed by the gods, is particularly powerful at dealing with spiritual problems (e.g. protection from the witchcraft of enemies). The herbalist relies on local medicines to effect a cure. The linguist ( okyeame ) has no corresponding role in western society. A man wishing to consult the fetish priest or the Chief addresses his remarks to the Linguist, who then passes them on and returns the reply (even though all three people are present together). The linguist is an intermediary, acting as a buffer to reduce the severity of utterances and so save delicate situations. If the Chief should make a harsh pronouncement, it is the duty of the linguist to euphemise and clothe the statement in proverbs. The Family As in most developing countries, there is a strong extended family system. Poorer members may seek financial assistance from their better off relatives for school fees, medical expenses etc.

But visitors are always welcomed, even if their arrival may be a cause of financial concern. In Asante, the family line (abusua) passes through the mother to her children. A man is strongly related to his mother's brother but only weakly related to his father's brother. This must be viewed in the context of a polygamous society in which the mother/child bond is likely to be much stronger than the father/child bond. As a result, in inheritance, a man's nephew (sister's son) will have priority over his own son. Uncle-nephew relationships therefore assume a dominant position. (Legislation was introduced in 1984 to change this traditional pattern of inheritance.) The Language and the Role of Proverbs The official language is English but this is not spoken by many villagers. The Asante are part of the Akan tribes who speak various dialects of Twi. The language is very rich in proverbs, the use of which is taken to be a sign of wisdom. Euphemisms are very common, especially about events connected with death. Rather than say "the King has died", one would say "a mighty tree has fallen".

Proverbs are often used to express ideas indirectly as can be seen from the following: "Obi mfa ne nsa benkum nkyere n'agya amanfo" - this is literally "Do not point to the ruins of your father's house with your left hand" - which is equivalent to "Do not scorn culture inherited from your forefathers". Religion There is a universal God ( Onyame ) but this does not exclude gods associated with a particular region or spirits ( obosum ) by whom a priest may be possessed. (This lack of exclusiveness makes it possible, say, for a fetish priest to be a Roman Catholic). But there is no doubt of the existence of the Kingdom of the Dead(Samanade) so custom requires that great attention is paid to the proper conduct of burials and funeral celebrations. Death is the one great certainty. Traditional religion does not require regular attendance at particular buildings. Religion is not something that is remembered for one hour a week. The Gods and the spirits of the ancestors are always present. Transport Most villages are reached only by laterite roads (often pot- holed) and are not served by any type of government transport.

Privately owned mammy lorries provide the only link with the towns and carry goods and animals as well as passengers. Many cases have arisen of crops being grown which can not reach market for lack of transport. The mammy lorry is the creation of private enterprise and initiative, designed to meet the pressing need for rural transport. Parallels between Akan Culture & Ancient Ghana Sources: John Carmichael (African Eldorado, 1993 at pages 58 - 59) Numerous experts have commented on the similarities within the traditions of kingship and cultic practice centering on the mystical nature of gold between imperial Ghana and the Akan peoples of the forest (even the linguistic derivatives from Ghana of Guan and Akan). In many cases, this has been taken as confirmation of a diffusion of ideas from the Sudanese grasslands to the forest of West Africa. Some authorities have looked back even further, tracing the origins of the traditions of divine kingship to Pharaonic Egypt.

Similarities in language such as the word "Ka" for spirit, which in Twi is "Kra", have been noted along with the parallels in ceremonial objects such as the use of funeral masks on royal tombs in Asante and the king's flail, battle axe, crooked sword and fly whisk. Extreme positions have been adopted on either side; some denying any influence at all, others seeing similarities in every sphere. The truth probably lies somewhere in the middle with a gradual diffusion of Iron Age culture throughout the continent. Further confirmation of cultural parallels can be found in the writings of Arabic scholars. Al-Bakri, commenting on the customs of ancient Ghana, was fascinated by the matrilineal tradition of succession: "The Kingdom is inherited only by the son of the King's sister". Tunkamanin, the king during the time of al-Bakri, was the nephew of the previous King, King Basi. The matrilineal succession of ancient Ghana is paralleled exactly within the chieftaincy traditions, which still determine succession among the Twi-speaking peoples of Ghana.

Al-Bakri, coming from a patrilineal culture, explains: "The King has no doubt that his successor is the son of his sister, while he is not certain that his son is in fact his own, and he does not rely on the genuineness of this relationship". Maternity is certain, paternity is often open to question. Al-Bakri's account of the splendour of the court of Ghana, its etiquette and ritual observance is almost indistinguishable from Bowdich's descriptions of the splendours of the Asante court in 1817. Both describe pages or messengers with shields and breastplates decorated with gold and the "awesome sounds" of massed drummers and horns of gold. Although historians cannot be certain about the authenticity of the ances= tral "long march" from ancient Ghana, the parallels in cultural identity indicate a historical legacy, which is more than just coincidence. Pronounced As: dshdnt or Asante dsdnt , historic and modern administrative region, central Ghana, W Africa. The region is the source of much of Ghana's cocoa.

It is inhabited by the Ashanti, a matrilineal Akan people who constitute one of Ghana's major ethnic groups. Before the 13th cent., Akan peoples migrated into the forest belt of present-day Ghana and established small states in the hilly country in the neighborhood of modern Kumasi. By the late 17th cent. the states had been welded by the Oyoko clan into the Ashanti confederation, with the capital at Kumasi and the Oyoko chieftain as king. After subduing neighboring states the confederation came into conflict with British settlements on the coast, although treaties of friendship were negotiated (1817, 1820). A series of Anglo-Ashanti wars in the 19th cent. ended with the defeat of the confederation (1896) and its annexation (1901) to the Gold Coast colony. The British exiled King Prempeh I to the Seychelles and, in spite of great resistance, broke up the confederation. It was restored in 1935. In 1945 the Ashanti were given representation in the executive and legislative councils of the Gold Coast.

They supported an unsuccessful attempt to give Ghana a federal constitution in 1954 and resisted the centralizing measures of the Nkrumah government. The Ashanti king remains influential in S Ghana. The Ashanti are noted for the quality of their gold work and their colorful kente cloth, and are famous for the gold-encrusted stool that is the symbol of the kingship. Source: African Eldorado - Ghana from Gold Coast to Independence. Ashanti Tribe, People, Culture and Religion - Buzz Ghana Ashanti Tribe, People, Culture and Religion Post by Chuka Obiorah Advertisement The Ashanti tribe, located in central Ghana is the largest tribe of the region. The people of this tribe live in the West African Rainforest nearly 150 miles away from the west coast. It is the major indigenous tribe of the Akans (Ashanti and Fanti) of Ghana. Ghana basically is a new country of about 60 years old, and it was previously known as the Gold Coast. Most of the modern province of Ghana was dominated by the Ashanti tribe from 1670 to 1902.

Ashanti those days was the largest and most powerful of the states established in the forest province of southern Ghana by the people known as ‘Akans’. Akans were very rich in gold and this was the main reason why they were able to form a state. Even today, Ashanti is the largest tribe in Ghana, which is politically separated into four major parts. With a population of abbout 1 million, the tribe which covers 9400 square miles of land area lies in the centre and the capital is Kumasi. See Also: 5 Unforgettable Events of Ancient Ghana History Ashanti emerged as the dominant power in 1670. It conquered the left, right and central tribes declaring monopoly on the routes to the coasts. Kumasi, the capital, became the practical urban centre with services and facilities like those of Europe those days. Due to this, it became one of the trade centres for the Europeans. Starting from Portuguese, slowly British, French, Dutch and other Europeans built forts all over the coasts and shared trades like Gold, Raw materials, Slaves etc with them.

But then came the time of 19th century when trade of the slaves was completely abolished, and this was the major reason for the Ashanti kingdom’s downfall. Till that time, British took over the Gold Coast. Due to this, several wars were fought between the two powers, which resulted in the British capture over the capital Kumasi in 1874. They slowly took over the main gold coasts and captured the Ashanti. The Gold coast became a British colony. Bonus: 10 Sure Signs You are Talking to a Ghanaian Ashanti People The Ashanti people were always fierce fighters. They always believed in their slogan: “If I go forward, I will die. If I step backward, I’ll die. It is better to move forward and die.” They used to signal for War with drum strokes which were so loud that the voices were heard over miles crossing the dense forests. The people have an orthodox way of shaking hands; they hold their left hand out while shaking hands. According to this orthodox trend, left hand is meant to hold shields and the right hand for sword and spear. So to show trust in someone, the left hand is freed by keeping the shield aside. They still follow the same trend to shake hands.

Ashanti people have a strong belief that their soul is their father’s spirit and the blood and the flesh comes from mother. And therefore they are said to be closer to their maternal side. Ashanti’s live in a joint family where the head of the family is the eldest brother, elected by elders in the family. He is then followed and obeyed by everyone and becomes the head of the family or the house head. The family lives in huts surrounded by the courtyard fence. Culture and Religion The Ashanti religion is the combination of spiritual and supernatural beliefs. They believe that plants, trees and animals have souls. They also believe in forest monsters, witches and fairies. They practice a variety of religious beliefs depending on ancestors, abosom or higher gods, and ‘Nyame’, the foremost being of Ashanti. They also practice different ceremonies for Birth, Death, marriage and Puberty. The Ashanti follow the culture of celebrating various ceremonies. Their funerals are celebrated for several days in the presence of whole village. The presence of each and every villager is very important in the ceremonies. See Also: Interesting Facts About Ghana, People of Ghana, Language and Culture The golden stool is like a divine to the Ashanti.

Even today the Ashanti tribe still lives in the tradition of the Golden Stool. They protect the Golden Stool very carefully. Since its arrival, it has never touched the ground and no one has ever sat on it. It is kept in a very tight security as it has always been considered sacred. The Ashanti’s are also known as the experts in a wide range of specialised crafts. These crafts include wood carving, weaving, the renown kente cloths, metallurgy and ceramics. Among these crafts, only pottery making is meant for a female, the others are strictly meant for male specialists. Even in the making of pottery, only male specialists are allowed to design the pottery and pipes. Many selected Ashanti crafts available for purchase at the African Crafts Market. Kumasi – Travel guide at Wikivoyage Understand[ edit ] Kumasi is considered the home of the Ashanti King, the current one being Otumfuo Osei Tutu II. Kumasi is widely regarded as the cultural cradle of Ghana as the vibrancy of Ghana's culture is more evident here than any part of the country. The Asantehene still sits in state as Ashantis from all walks of life pay homage.

He even presides over traditional courts and some residents use this instead of the judicial system. The traditional Asante buildings in the region are on the UNESCO World Heritage list . Kumasi was established by the King Osei Tutu I with guidance from the priest Okomfo Anokye. It is said he planted two Kuma trees at two locations. One died and that place was called Kumawu (thus the Kuma tree died) and the one at Kumasi flourised and was named Kumasi (Kuma tree has flourished). Population of about 2 million, the language is predominantly Akan Twi. Get in[ edit ] Kumasi is a cosmopolitan city with a good road network and one can travel on local buses which ply predetermined routes or charter/hire taxis to take one to his preferred destination. By plane[ edit ] Flights from Accra to Kumasi are in the morning and afternoon on the three carriers: Fly540Africa, CitiLink and Antrak. The flight is about 45 minutes long, limited on luggage allowance. Excellent way to get to Kumasi, preferred by most. Small planes, yet short trip.

The cost on CitiLink is +-$90 USD one way, and $95 on Antrak as of June 2011 and $86 with Fly540Africa as of March 2012. From May 2012 star bow airlines are flying this and other routes from Accra. Morning and afternoon flights, 100 seated planes and standard 20kg luggage, costs vary but typically around $60. By train[ edit ] Railroads connect Kumasi to Accra and Takoradi ; however, as of October 2010, all passenger trains to Kumasi have been suspended. By bus[ edit ] To travel by road to Kumasi from Accra you will need to allow 6 hours travel time. The STC bus service does not seem to be running anymore, or very sporadically; however private bus companies like VIP Jeoun (a Korean company) have taken over this route. Price is 25 cedis for a very comfortable and luxury bus (every row contains three seats; two on one side and one on the other), or 16 cedis for regular touring bus (4 seats in each row).

Get around[ edit ] The tro-tro station in the city centre offers the widest range of destinations. The disadvantage of this tro-tro station is that it is extremely chaotic and that it is right in the city centre: getting out of the city is often problematic due to a plethora of traffic jams. If you can't find your tro-tro, ask one of the tro-tro mates or one of the ticket sellers. The destinations are posted on signs above the bus station. Another alternative is to catch a tro-tro from the ring road instead. This saves you the hassle of navigating through the Kumasi traffic jams. See[ edit ] Asantehene's Palace. A visit to this former king's residence is a most worthwhile activity. Prempeh II Jubilee Museum, ☎ +2335122822 . 9AM to 6PM. Features artifacts and personal belongings of former Asante kings including a reproduction of the golden stool. 6.703480 -1.615790 1 [dead link]Manhyia Palace Museum . 9AM to 5PM.

Built in 1925 by the British as the residence of King Asantehene Prempeh I, this museum is also a palace. Walking through the museum, you will learn about the function of each room when it was used by the kings, as well as seeing artwork and artifacts from the Asante kings. 6.691368 -1.624844 2 Ghana Armed Forces Museum, 22 Steward Ave, ☎ +2335123103 . 9AM to 5PM Tues. through Sat. The museum buildings once served as Kumasi Fort, built by the British in 1896 after they destroyed the Asante Fort that originally stood here. The museum predominantly features information and artifacts related to the British-Asante War, but also includes many artifacts from World War I, World War II, and information about modern Ghanaian military history. Tour guides are friendly and very knowledgeable. Highly recommended. 6.700506 -1.625698 3 National Zoological Garden. All of the animals from the former Accra Zoo were transferred here a couple years ago, so there is now more to see.

However, the conditions are not good for the animals, so visiting is not encouraged. 6.696728 -1.618391 4 Kumasi Market. Largest market in West Africa Tafo Kumasi Fort Kumasi built by the British in 1896 to replace an Asante fort and now a museum Kumasi Hat Museum Do[ edit ] A tour of the Palace grounds explains the history of the Ashanti people and the significance of the Ashanti cultural history. The Adae Kese Festival is a very important, albeit rare, celebration of the Ashanti's. It is held in a large open space in Kumasi. The festival is normally well attended and embraced by Ashanti's from all walks of life. The Adae Kese celebrations are magnified forms of Sunday Adae festivals, celebrated every six weeks in accordance with the Akan calendar which is based on a cycle of 42 days and nine months in a year. Invariably, the last Akwasidae festival is set aside for the celebration of Adae Kese.The public celebrations take the form of a colourful durbar of chiefs and queen mothers presided over by the Asantehene.

It involves the display of cherished regalia and paraphernalia accompanied by traditional drumming and dancing as well as firing of musketry amidst pomp and pageantry. The Adae festival is a continuous demonstration of faith in the vision and heritage of the Asante Kingdom, which has existed since the introduction of the Golden Stool in 1700. The festival is also to commemorate and re-enforce the independence of the Ashanti people and an occasion to re-affirm each state's loyalty to the confederacy instituted in the aftermath of the Ashanti war of independence fought against the Denkyeras between 1697–1699. It provides a platform for the King to meet and share his thoughts with his sub-chiefs and subjects and also reward deserving ones. Only a 45 minute drive from Kumasi is Lake Bosumtwe. It's a meteor-formed lake about 270 feet deep and 8 km in diameter. It's a must see if in the Kumasi region. Paradise Resort is recommended lodging for $50 per night and up. It can be reached by tro-tro or private taxis.

The private taxi price should be about 50 cedis (September 2013). A 30-45 minute drive from Kumasi is the Owabi Wildlife Sanctuary. It can be reached by tro-tro to Esasie (ask for Owabi Wildlife Sanctuary), which is close to Akropron. From the Esasie tro-tro stop it is about a 1-2 km walk, or you could get a private taxi for the last mile. At the Sanctuary it is compulsory to get a guide, who will take you on a 2 hour walk on various trails through the park. The Bamboo Temple is very pretty and worthwhile. The entrance fee to the park is 6 cedis per person and you pay the guide separately (no fixed price, you determine this at the end of the hike; a reasonable price could be 10-15 cedis per person). Eat[ edit ] The Noble House Hotel serves excellent Indian and Chinese food. Prices are higher than the average Ghanaian restaurant: expect to pay between 30-40 cedis for a curry, some rice and a drink. Noble House has the same owners as the Heritage Restaurant in Osu, Accra.

Drink[ edit ] Vic Baboo's (Prempeh II Rd) is not the most atmospheric place in town, but it had an impressive cocktail menu. It is a place to meet backpackers, expats and volunteers. The menu features a variety of different Indian, Chinese, Continental, and fast food dishes. The lassi and milkshakes are especially good, staff are friendly and it has a homely atmosphere. Budget[ edit ] 6.687866 -1.620301 1 Guestline Lodge (Guest Line Hotel), Adum Street. (White building with stars painted on. Right next to the STC bus station). Check-in: 13.00, check-out: 12.30. Guestline lodge is a great backpacker joint located right next to the STC bus station. The same owner as Vic Baboo's Cafe offering the same friendly service and many like-minded travelers. Reasonable selection of books for sale at reception for 2GH¢ or you can exchange for free. Balcony with view over street below open to all residents. Electric shower with warm(ish) water. Lower priced rooms share shower and toilet which are both clean.

Some breakfast option available: tea/Instant coffee 2GH¢, toast and butter 3GH¢, Cornflakes 4GH¢ or an omelet 4GH¢. Beers (3GH¢) and "minerals" (2GH¢) available throughout the day. Staff range from mildly indifferent to extremely helpful and also provide the services of car rental. from 8 GH¢ to 35 GH¢. (updated May 2016) Mid-range[ edit ] Bek Egg Premier Hotel & Conference Centre (Bek Egg Premier Hotel & Conference Centre), T.U.C. Estate, Behind C.A.C. Fankyenbra, ☎ +233(0)51-35031 FORMAT. Check-in: 13.00, check-out: 11.00. The Bek Egg Premier Hotel & Conference Centre is a family operated hotel and business situated in the heart of town, about five miles from the local (national) airport. from GH¢ 35.00 to GH¢ 60.00.

Ashanti - A Rich Kingdom Travel & Tourism | 3 November 2015 13:15 CET Ashanti - A Rich Kingdom Previous | Next The Ashanti kingdom of Ghana is by far the richest in Ghana in terms of resources, history and culture. The regional capital is Kumasi which is popularly called the garden city because of its beauty and aesthetic nature. This kingdom is highly regarded as the richest in Ghana because of many features. Notable among these are its: 1.Immense range of minerals - The Ashanti region is home to most of Ghana’s rich minerals. When you think about gold in Ghana, you think of Obuasi. This town in the Ashanti region is the home to 90% of the gold mined in Ghana. The importance of gold to Ghana’s economy cannot be overemphasized. “Konongo’’, another town in the Ashanti region is a powerhouse when it comes to gold mining. Bauxite, diamond and manganese are other minerals that can be found within the Ashanti kingdom. 2. Rich cultural heritage - The Ashanti Kingdom is also very rich in culture and tradition. Many Ghanaian artifacts are attributed to this great Kingdom.

Talk of “Kente”, the beautiful and expensive woven piece of cloth that is worn for very important and memorable occasions. Anytime one wants to marry an Ashanti woman, a piece of Kente cloth is a basic requirement. Usually at the ceremonies, this beautiful cloth is used to make dresses for the women and cover cloth for the men. Another important element of the rich Ashanti culture that is worthy of note is the “golden stool” which is believed to have been conjured from the skies by a very renowned Ashanti fetish priest “Okomfo Anokye” in the late 1600’s. 3. Historic Leaders - When we talk about great leaders to have graced the Ashanti Kingdom, there are a few names that definately come to mind. Yaa Asantewaa was appointed queen mother of Ejisu in the Ashanti Empire — now part of modern-day Ghana by her brother Nana Akwasi Afrane Okpese, the Ejisuhene—or ruler of Ejisu. In 1900, she led the Ashanti rebellion known as the War of the Golden Stool , also known as the Yaa Asantewaa war, against British colonialism .

Otumfuo Osei-Tutu II is the current King of the Ashanti empire. He is the 16th Asantehene , ruler of Ashanti and Ashantiland and the Kingdom of Ashanti . King Osei Tutu ascended the Golden Stool (throne) on 26 April 1999. By name, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II is in direct succession to the founder of the Empire of Ashanti , Otumfuo Osei Tutu . 4. Amazing tourist sites - The Ashanti region has by far the most enterprising tourist sites in Ghana. Lake Bosomtwi is the most expansive natural body of fresh water in Ghana. It is also the deepest, reaching a maximum depth of 80-100m, and 10.7km2 in diameter. Some believe that the lake was created by a volcanic action and others say it was created by a falling meteorite causing a crater to be formed however piles of heavy rainfall over the years filled the crater with water causing the lake level to rise. The lake water size varies according to seasons in question, sometimes it overflows and other times the water level will be so low.

The lake houses fish varieties such as endemic cichlid Hemichromis frempongi, and the near-endemic cichlids popularly known in local terms as “tilapia”. Enjoy fishing in a traditional boat or canoe, an experience worth evoking. The Manhyia Palace is the seat of the Ashanti king which dates back to the 17th century. It also houses a royal museum stocked with rare and unique royal paraphernalia and life-size effigies of notable Ashanti kings and queens. The palace also hosts the ever-popular Akwasidae Festival held every six weeks in accordance to the Ashanti traditional calendar. The Centre for National Culture is the first of its kind to be established in Sub-Saharan Africa in 1952 features the following: Prempeh II museum – (This museum principally showcases the rich history and culture of the Ashanti kingdom. Craft centre – (Traditional craftsmen can be observed here displaying their skills in the weaving of the world famous kente cloth, pottery and brass smithing) A gift shop – (The centre has a number of gift shops where Ashanti traditional textiles, leatherworks, carvings and other Ghanaian artifacts may be bought).

Cultural displays and tutorials – (Traditional dances and performances can be observed or taught for a fee on request) Other places of interest are the Okomfo Anokye sword, Fort St. George (war museum), the Kumasi central market and the Kumasi zoological gardens. Discover amazing hotels at very attractive rates in this rich Ghanaian kingdom at Jovago ! Kumasi travel guide - Wikitravel Understand[ edit ] Kumasi is considered the home of the Ashanti King, the current one being Otumfuo Osei Tutu II. Kumasi is widely regarded as the cultural cradle of Ghana as the vibrancy of Ghana's culture is more evident here than any part of the country. The Asantehene still sits in state as Ashantis from all walks of life pay homage. He even presides over traditional courts and some residents use this instead of the judicial system. Kumasi was established by the King Osei Tutu I with guidance from the priest Okomfo Anokye. It is said he planted two Kuma trees at two locations.

One died and that place was called Kumawu (thus the Kuma tree died) and the one at Kumasi flourised and was named Kumasi (Kuma tree has flourished). It has a population of about 4 million, and the predominant language is Akan Twi. Get in[ edit ] Kumasi is a cosmopolitan city with a good road network and one can travel on local buses which ply predetermined routes or charter/hire taxis to take one to his preferred destination. By plane[ edit ] Flights from Accra to Kumasi are in the morning and afternoon on the three carriers: Fly540Africa, CitiLink and Antrak. The flight is about 45 minutes long, and limited on luggage allowance. This is an excellent way to get to Kumasi, preferred by most. Small planes, yet short trip. The cost on CitiLink is +/-$90 USD one way, and $95 on Antrak as of June 2011 and $86 with Fly540Africa as of March 2012. From May 2012 star bow airlines are flying this and other routes from Accra .

There are morning and afternoon flights, 100 seated planes and standard 20kg luggage; costs vary but are typically around $60. By train[ edit ] Railroads connect Kumasi to Accra and Takoradi ; however, as of October 2010, all passenger trains to Kumasi have been suspended. By bus[ edit ] To travel by road to Kumasi from Accra you will need to allow 6 hours travel time. Bus service is available by O.A. and STC, two private bus lines ($12 for bus with AC). STC is becoming less reliable for any travel in Ghana. The VIP and VVIP (two separate companies with similar names) both leave from Nekrumah Circle in Accra as they fill up daily. They are generally more reliable and comfortable and also leave more regularly. They cost around $15US (35GHC) one way. You cannot book tickets ahead. Get around[ edit ] There are many ways to get around Kumasi. All are inexpensive, but you have to allow time as the city is usually congested, especially in the downtown area, called Odum, and around Kejetia, the central market.

The congestion is worsened by the fact that the streets are mostly narrow and do not follow a grid pattern but rather run in all directions. Here are your options: Charter taxi: this is a taxi that takes you and your party directly to your destination. You hail it and negotiate a price with the driver before getting in. For trips within downtown, the fare shouldn't be more than one US dollar, and three or four dollars will get you across town. Passenger taxi: these look identical to charter taxis but follow a fixed route, picking up and dropping off riders anywhere along the way. The fare is much lower, but as the cars are small and usually full, the ride is quite uncomfortable. Trotro: These are minibuses that also follow fixed routes. They have no destination signs. A conductor stands by the front door and shouts out the destination as the vehicle approaches a bus stop. They are very inexpensive (a few cents) but the routes are difficult to understand. You may think the bus will go straight ahead but to your surprise it will suddenly lurch in a different direction. Sometimes trotros are driven wildly. Bus: The most heavily traveled routes are served by regular 45- or 50-passenger buses.

They have destination signs in the front window. The fare is about double that of the trotros -- still a great bargain, and they tend to be less crowded. Foot: Kumasi is one of Ghana's most pedestrian-friendly cities, made for leisurely or purposeful strolling. This is the best option for taking in all the sights and smells of the city. See[ edit ][ add listing ] Asantehene's Palace. A visit to this former king's residence is a most worthwhile activity. edit Prempeh II Jubilee Museum, ☎ +2335122822. 9 AM to 6 PM. Features artifacts and personal belongings of former Asante kings including a reproduction of the golden stool. edit Kumasi Kidjitia. Very big and diverse market, dont misse the "foose line" area where second hands clothes are being sold on both side of an old train track. edit Manhyia Palace Museum, [1] . 9 AM to 5 PM. Built in 1925 by the British as the residence of King Asantehene Prempeh I, this museum is also a palace.

Walking through the museum, you will learn about the function of each room when it was used by the kings, as well as seeing artwork and artifacts from the Asante kings. edit Ghana Armed Forces Museum, 22 Steward Ave, ☎ +2335123103. 9 AM to 5 PM Tues. through Sat. The museum buildings once served as Kumasi Fort, built by the British in 1896 after they destroyed the Asante Fort that originally stood here. The museum predominantly features information and artifacts related to the British-Asante War, but also includes many artifacts from World War I, World War II, and information about modern Ghanaian military history. Tour guides are friendly and very knowledgeable. Highly recommended. edit Kumasi Zoo. All of the animals from the former Accra Zoo were transferred here a couple years ago, so there is now more to see. However, the conditions are not good for the animals, so visiting is not encouraged.

edit Tafo Kumasi Fort Kumasi built by the British in 1896 to replace an Asante fort and now a museum Kumasi Hat Museum Do[ edit ][ add listing ] A tour of the Palace grounds explains the history of the Ashanti people and the significance of the Ashanti cultural history. The Adae Kese Festival is a very important, albeit rare, celebration of the Ashanti's. It is held in a large open space in Kumasi. The festival is normally well attended and embraced by Ashanti's from all walks of life. The Adae Kese celebrations are magnified forms of Sunday Adae festivals, celebrated every six weeks in accordance with the Akan calendar which is based on a cycle of 42 days and nine months in a year. Invariably, the last Akwasidae festival is set aside for the celebration of Adae Kese.The public celebrations take the form of a colourful durbar of chiefs and queen mothers presided over by the Asantehene. It involves the display of cherished regalia and paraphernalia accompanied by traditional drumming and dancing as well as firing of musketry amidst pomp and pageantry.

The Adae festival is a continuous demonstration of faith in the vision and heritage of the Asante Kingdom, which has existed since the introduction of the Golden Stool in 1700. The festival is also to commemorate and re-enforce the independence of the Ashanti people and an occasion to re-affirm each state's loyalty to the confederacy instituted in the aftermath of the Ashanti war of independence fought against the Denkyeras between 1697–1699. It provides a platform for the King to meet and share his thoughts with his sub-chiefs and subjects and also reward deserving ones. Only a 45 minute drive from Kumasi is Lake Bosumtwe. It's a meteor-formed lake about 270 feet deep and 8 km in diameter. It's a must see if in the Kumasi region. Paradise Resort is recommended lodging for $50 per night and up. Sleep[ edit ][ add listing ] Bek Egg Premier Hotel & Conference Centre (Bek Egg Premier Hotel & Conference Centre), T.U.C. Estate, Behind C.A.C. Fankyenbra, ☎ +233(0)51-35031, [2] .

checkin: 13.00; checkout: 11.00. The Bek Egg Premier Hotel & Conference Centre is a family operated hotel and business situated in the heart of Kumasi, just about five miles from the local (national) airport. from GH¢ 35.00 to GH¢ 60.00. edit Budget[ edit ] Daddy's House, (Nearby landmark are Asadaa House and STC bus station, it's in a street perpendicular to Adum Street), ☎ +233 32 202 2128. Owner changed recently. Well run, clean and safe. Decent location. A bit noisy (churches and preachers nearby). The staff is happy and helpful. there is a dormitory room 25 GH¢ (6.5USD), small single with toilets and shower 50 GH¢ (13USD) double bedroom with aircond 90 GH¢ (25USD). edit Mid-range[ edit ] Four Villages Inn Run by Charity and Chris, very nice people, comfortable location. Recommend a Kumasi market tour with Comfort.

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Question: Which country is the home of the Ashanti?
Answer: Ghana